“THE ULTIMATE CHALLENGE FOR TECHNOLOGY: 0.02 MG/L EFFLUENT TOTAL PHOSPHORUS”

Stearns & Wheler is a member of the joint venture Environmental Engineering Associates, LLP (EEA), who conducted a major phosphorus removal demonstration pilot test at the Metropolitan Syracuse, New York Wastewater Treatment Plant (80 mgd). The purpose of this program was to identify and test technologies to ultimately reduce total phosphorus (TP) in the effluent to 0.02 mg/l. Effluent limits will be enforced in three stages. Stage I (no net increase – currently in affect), Stage II:0.12 mg/l TP and Stage III:0.02 mg/l TP.The pilot program, which is completed, was developed in two phases. Under Phase 1 the “High Rate Flocculated Settling Process” (HRFS) marketed by Krüger as ACTIFLO and Infilco Degremont as DensaDeg were tested to achieve the Stage II 0.12 mg/l TP limit. Phase 2 of the program tested alternative technologies in series with the HRFS process and a 2-stage filter technology for the ability to achieve Stage III limits of 0.02 mg/l TP.Phase 1 pilot testing was completed in May 2000, and Phase 2 began in June 2000 and was completed in December 2000. The major goals of the pilot test are:Demonstrate that the HRFS technology will meet the 0.12 mg/l TP limitIndicate if the 0.02 mg/l TP limit can be obtainedTest the best available technologiesEstablish design criteria.The pilot units are substantial (ranging in capacity from 40 gpm to 350 gpm). Results of the pilot test program will be considered in the development of a plan to improve the water quality of Onondaga Lake.